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The black-haired guard wore a dark green uniform like Adrian’s. His resting stance serious, like a well-trained soldier. Black-rimmed glasses that matched his hair covered his eyes, something I hadn’t seen since leaving Six.

If magic could freeze its host to where a person was unable to age, I assumed it would gift perfect eyesight as well. Perhaps Logan didn’t possess magic.

I extended my hand to shake his. “Of course. It’s nice to meet you.”

Instead of taking my hand, he bowed, the hilt of his sword peeking out from behind his back. “Likewise, Princess Brynlynn.”

I bristled a little inside, still unused to hearing my proper title.

My mother thanked him as he held the door open for us, ushering me outside into the brightness of morning.

Her head immediately tipped back to face the sunlight fully, the delicate skin of her face sparkling faintly.

She sighed, linking her arm through mine. “Feel that?” she asked, beaming, referencing the warm rays of light. “That’s the Earth’s love for its people. The sun is her way of saying that everything is going to be okay.”

I smiled, tipping my head back, too, and let her guide me through her flower gardens and past the wooden fence into the fields of more flowers, and to the rolling hills beyond. Away from the estate and bustling village.

We strolled casually, with Logan keeping a respectable distance behind us.

I didn’t ask her where we were heading, or where Delirium would take place. Instead, I enjoyed the feel of my arm linked with hers, content to let her guide me where she pleased.

“Your father said you have no memory of this place,” she stated quietly.

“He’s right. I wish I did . . . but I don’t.”

She frowned at my response, her sparkle dimming slightly.

“But I would like to get to know it. Learn about life here on Two, should I live.” I shuddered thinking about the alternative.

“You will not die,” my mother said confidently. “Leo will protect you. Your father and I, too. It’s a gift that you’ve come back to us; damn what the council thinks. And as for your trials, you succeeded once before, I know you will succeed again. You’re my daughter after all.” She winked.

It felt good to hear those words from her. A relief she didn’t find me an abomination.

But I couldn’t help agreeing with what Raphael had said.

One person’s life is not more worthy than another’s.

Why should I get a second chance at life when soldiers died in war all the time? Where was their second chance? Their reunion with their loved ones?

“As much as that means to me”—I hesitated—“I agree with the council.”

My mother smiled, unsurprised by my conviction. “You were always one for fairness. It’s a trait that’ll make you a great ruler when it’s your turn to reign.”

For the first time, I hoped I’d get to see that day.

The hair on the back of my neck prickled as we reached the top of one of the hills, far outside the village. Looking down at the small valley below, a large circular stone formation sat quiet and undisturbed.

The formation shared an exact likeness to the one in last night’s horrible dream, where Leo and Adrian had stood at its center, asking me to choose between the two of them.

Even without magic, I could sense the energy passing between the stones. Like my bond with Leo, I could feel the pull of it.

How could I have dreamed about a place I’d never seen before?

It made me feel uneasy.

“This is where you’ll meet with the Earth tomorrow at first light,” my mother whispered. “She will meet you at its center.”

She opened the palm of her hand to reveal a bead of light.